The MotoGP rider, Fermin Aldeguer, has spoken about the controversy following his collision with Francesco Bagnaia during the sprint of the Qatar Grand Prix, which left the Ducati star injured.
Aldeguer, who was competing for Gresini Racing, was in a fierce battle with Pedro Acosta from KTM for sixth place, when he saw an opportunity at the last corner. However, as he braked to enter the right, he failed to slow down enough and collided with Bagnaia, who was riding just in front of him in fifth place.
The crash sent Bagnaia flying, with shocking images showing the three-time world champion falling heavily to the ground. The race was immediately stopped due to the severity of the incident, and Aldeguer was penalized with a double penalty that he will have to serve upon resuming the full race in 10 laps.
Despite acknowledging his responsibility, Aldeguer defended his overtaking attempt, stating that it was not as reckless as it seems at first glance. “Clearly, if you look at the accident, it looks absolutely spectacular, as if it were out of place. But in the end, it wasn’t exactly a crazy move”, he commented to the press.
The rider explained: “I was trying to regain a position from Pedro, who had a bad exit from corner 15. I saw an opportunity to enter the last corner, but he defended his position.”
After the incident, Bagnaia was immediately transported to the medical center, where tests revealed he had suffered fractures of two bones in his right foot. As a result, he was declared unfit to participate in Sunday’s grand prix, and his presence at the last races of the season in Portugal and Valencia is in doubt, pending whether surgery will be necessary.
Aldeguer has expressed his regret, stating that he apologized to Bagnaia and the Ducati team. “First of all, I would like to apologize to Pecco and the team. I have already returned to the box and tried to explain the incident as clearly as possible”, he added.
The rider received mixed reactions from the Ducati team, a situation he commented on by saying, “after all, some understand that this is a race and that these things can happen, while others take it more personally”. Aldeguer concluded his remarks by stating that he will try to prevent similar incidents from occurring in future races.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
